Automakers report mixed U.S. sales results as hybrids drive growth

DETROIT — Second-quarter U.S. vehicle sales are turning into a tale of haves and have nots, as automakers that have hybrid models are outperforming those that don’t amid high gas prices and a decline in demand for all-electric vehicles.

Global hybrid leader Toyota Motor on Wednesday reported a 1.1% increase in its second-quarter sales, led by a roughly 20% increase in sales of electrified vehicles.

Hyundai Motor, up 4% during the last quarter, reported a 67% increase in hybrids during the first half of the year, while Honda Motor reported that record electrified sales helped it notch an 8.4% increase in overall sales during the second quarter. Kia, up about 3%, also reported a 152% increase in hybrid sales during the second quarter.

“Hybrids are definitely our growth engine right now,” Hyundai and Genesis North America CEO Randy Parker said Wednesday during a call. “Hybrids are really, really taking off right now as consumers, I think, are prioritizing fuel efficiency and lower operating costs due to high gas prices.”

Gas prices are up more than 20% from the same period last year, according to AAA.

Meanwhile, General Motors, which offers a broad EV lineup but only one hybrid, a low-volume Corvette, reported a 4.2% decline in second quarter sales.

The juxtaposition of hybrids between GM, the top-selling automaker in the U.S., and No. 2 Toyota caused Cox Automotive last week to note that the Japanese automaker is closing its gap in sales with the Detroit carmaker.

“At these rates, and what we’re seeing right now in the selling rates, GM may be looking over their shoulder here when we get to the year’s end, that Toyota could potentially overtake them as the top selling manufacturer here in the U.S. market,” Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist and senior director of industry insights at Cox Automotive, said during a media event.

Cox Automotive and J.D. Power expect second-quarter sales to be roughly level compared with a year earlier. Cox forecast industry sales to be off 0.5%, while JDP expected a 0.7% increase in vehicles sold.

Outliers in the second quarter include Chrysler parent Stellantis, which was up 5.9%, and Nissan Motor, up 9.6%. Both offer limited electrified models, including hybrids and/or EVs, but are in the midst of sales-focused turnaround plans.

“At a time when customers are focused on maximizing the value of every dollar they spend, our lineup is delivering with strong quality, capability and the right mix of products,” Tiago Castro, Nissan Americas senior vice president of sales and marketing, said Wednesday in a release.

Having the right mix of products is key for automakers. Right now, aside from hybrids the right mix increasingly means having affordable vehicles, as many Americans grapple with inflation, high gas…